PORTLAND, Ore., Sept 18 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of
Agriculture has warned a major research hospital that it provides
inadequate veterinary care to monkeys at its primate research center,
Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) said on Thursday.

The Aug. 6 warning letter, the lowest-level penalty issued by the
USDA, followed an inspection that found that more than half of the
rhesus macaques at Oregon National Primate Research Center were
experiencing hair loss, and that 15 monkeys had been injured in a fight
that left six of the animals dead, OHSU said.

In a statement issued on Thursday, OHSU said Oregon National Primate
Research Center officials "believe in an ethical mandate to ensure that
all of our animals are treated respectfully and humanely."

Another monkey had died during surgery due to a mistake with an
anesthesia machine, and inspectors found muddy bedding and cracked walls
in some monkey housing areas, OHSU said.

OHSU spokesman Todd Murphy said the hospital, which was not fined or
otherwise formally penalized, has already moved to correct problems
highlighted in the warning.

Over the past six months they have taken steps to prevent future
monkey fights such as changing their food, they have invested in
improved medical equipment, and they have made upgrades to primate
housing, OHSU said in an earlier statement.

OHSU also emphasized in multiple documents about the primate research
center that the lab was recently re-accredited by federal regulators.

The primate center, located about 15 miles from OHSU's main hospital
campus, houses 5,000 animals, which are used to research diseases,
neurology and reproductive biology.

Stop Animal Exploitation Now, an anti-animal-laboratories group that
publicized the federal warning, has asked Department of Agriculture
regulators to fine OHSU for its treatment of primates.